Now, as the 27-year-old works to create lasting memories with husband Robert and their three children, she has decided to speak out to warn others about the dangers of sunbeds.

“I was 21 when the first two tumours were found and I had used sunbeds from being 16 to being 18,” said Gemma, of Fawdon in Newcastle.

“I had also been on family holidays when I was younger but I would not say a lot and I used the sunbeds just the odd time. I was shocked when I found out,” she said.

Gemma had an operation in 2008 to remove the first tumours and again in 2013 when the cancer returned. But six weeks after her second operation an infection revealed the cancer had returned and spread through her organs and there was nothing doctors could do.

“Melanoma is from sunlight or UV exposure like the sunbeds and can also run in the family,” said Gemma, who has Lucy, seven, Josh, six, and 22-month-old Joel.

“Everyone should make sure they are well protected, I put factor 50 on the kids and myself and also make sure it is UV 5 star protection,” said the former Kenton School pupil.

“I was going on for 12 minutes when I used them. I saw it as 12 minutes for a couple of quid, you go on because it is so cheap, you do not realise what can happen.

“Back when I was using them 10 to 11 years ago, there was not much awareness of skin cancer but now you hear about it more and more.

“I never thought this would happen to me so young.”

Gemma is now trying to raise the money to take her children on a trip of a lifetime to Disneyland Paris, something is always promised them the family would do when they were older.